I don't think it EVER beat lost in ratings...in fact I know it didn't, cause it was a cable series and at its highest had like 3.1 million viewers, while Lost was a network show and managed to have 10 million viewers on the regular every year, with its highest rating being in like the 20 millions. HOWEVER, so many people love this series and are die-hard fans, and they tend to hate Lost and emphasize how great BSG is. There's a similar thing going on there with Dr. Who fans, and also fans of the Wire but in their case they actually have a point.